The season isn’t over yet, but Mauricio Pochettino’s amazing work has already ensured Tottenham will be one of the big stories of 2015/16.

The Argentine has worked wonders at White Hart Lane to turn Spurs into genuine title contenders in just his second season in charge, and his methods to turn the club around make his achievements all the more impressive.

In fact, there are a few things that remind us of the characteristics of one of the game’s all-time greats.

Bear with us…here’s six reasons Pochettino is becoming Tottenham’s very own version of Manchester United legend Alex Ferguson:

1. Trust in youth

As has been well noted since the start of the season, Tottenham’s squad is the youngest in the Premier League this season.

Dele Alli, 19, has shone since moving to Tottenham (Picture: Getty)

In fact, with an average age of just over 24, it is also a more youthful side than the one Ferguson won the 1995/96 title with at Manchester United – you know, the ‘kids’ Alan Hansen so famously wrote off on Match of the Day.

This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, as Pochettino also showed his ability at bringing through academy products at previous clubs Espanyol and Southampton – the difference now is, his youngsters could now be set to finish the season as champions.

2. Doing the dirty work

Another stat that reminds us of Ferguson is Tottenham’s rather surprising record of having committed the most fouls in the top flight so far this season.

So often seen as a soft touch in the past, Pochettino has instilled a battling quality in his players, who will feel no shame in being labelled the dirtiest side in the league if they finish the campaign in first place.

For all the great football United played under Ferguson, it was precisely that kind of fighting spirit from players like Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic down the years that helped bring in the silverware at Old Trafford.

3. English core

Many of United’s best players in the Ferguson era – Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy – came from overseas, but that long-serving core of English and British players was also key to their success.

Perhaps less likely to jump at the chance of a move to Real Madrid, homegrown players are an important part of keeping continuity at a club, so Spurs will be relieved at the rise of players like Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Harry Kane, to name just a few.

While in the past, Tottenham overpaid for some more ‘glamorous’ big names from abroad, they are now learning that looking closer to home can be worthwhile.

4. Ruthlessness

He may have been criticised for forcing out big names like David Beckham and Roy Keane, but overall it’s hard to argue against the idea that Ferguson’s ruthless approach to players worked wonders.

Consider the decisions to get rid of troublemakers Emmanuel Adebayor and Andros Townsend – both useful players on their day. Pochettino has done well to stamp down his authority by ridding his squad of their negative presence.

5. Big-game record

Aside from defeats to Manchester United and Leicester City, it has been a fine season for Spurs in their games against the other big sides.

Christian Eriksen hit the winner as Spurs did the double over Manchester City (Picture: Getty)

Capped with a win against Manchester City (on a ground where they conceded ten goals in their prior two visits), Pochettino seems to have that Ferguson-like quality of getting his team to win when it really matters.

Tottenham have usually fallen short against the bigger sides, but have now done a double over City and remain unbeaten in games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool this season.

There were signs of things to come with impressive home wins over Arsenal and Chelsea last season, and it is precisely these six-pointers that can turn the north Londoners from also-rans into champions.